Notes from Solar Power International’s 2014 Conference

Energy Law Wisconsin was in attendance at Solar Power International, the country’s largest solar conference and trade show held in in Las Vegas October 20-23, 2014. Highlights of the conference included presentations by then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Department of Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz and many industry leaders.

One of the items that jumped out: Wisconsin is figuring increasingly prominently in national discussion for solar, both as a potential market and a cautionary tale due to the utility rate-making proceedings that are ongoing for several of Wisconsin’s investor-owned utilities.

Solar industry leaders, such as Lyndon Rive, CEO of SolarCity, who recently weighed in on the We Energies rate case, Ed Peo of Coronal Management, LLC, an active solar developer on behalf of Panasonic Corporation (who spoke to the author of this blog about the circumstances under which his company would be interested in developing solar in Wisconsin), and others offered insight on many issues that are currently quite fluid.

There were also presentations by a variety of investor-owned utilities, indicating that one size does not fit all when it comes to utility involvement in solar.

Finally, there was a considerable amount of conversation as to what might happen if and when the energy Investment Tax Credit is reduced from 30% to 10% at the start of 2017.

If you have specific issues you’d like to receive an update on that were discussed at the conference, please contact us.